What you are referring to is a simple over center device that was used to hold the body down and keep it from jumping up and down at the front. It made for some very amnnoying sounds.
Since the advent of scissor hoists with power down either as standard or as an option these are not used any longer. In fact I haven't seen them installed since the mid-sixties. They were especially popular on farm trucks with twin telescopic hoists which were single acting.
A similar device is used as barn door hardware and in fact I have it on my new storage building's sliding door. It is obviously much lighter duty but the same principal. I'd suggest you research hardware on the 'net.
Last edited by 53moneypit; 10/02/2009 11:16 PM.
